The Carolina Student Arts Grant Initiative

The Office of the Executive Director for the Arts, in conjunction with the Arts Advocacy Committee of Student Government, is pleased to provide the first funding program at UNC-Chapel Hill dedicated to supporting undergraduate student initiatives in the arts. The Carolina Student Arts Grant Initiative (CSAG) supports arts and cultural projects that have a significant impact on campus life. Such projects include, but are not limited to contests, exhibitions, performances, concerts, guest-artist visits, site-specific art, workshops, festivals and publications.

Student Arts Grant for Creative Campus

This year additional funding will be available for projects that support Carolina Performing Arts Creative Campus project Criminal/Justice: The Death Penalty Examined. General Grant guidlines remain the same with the additional criteria that grants must address issues of the death penalty in our society. Creative Campus grants are open to both undergraduate and graduate students. 

What is a Student Arts Grant?
A Student Arts Grant is a monetary grant of up to $1000 to support student-led arts initiatives. Those who can apply include any undergraduate* UNC Chapel Hill student applying on behalf of him/herself or on behalf of an officially recognized undergraduate student organization.

*Graduate students may apply for a Creative Campus grant.

How can I/my group get a Grant?
To qualify for CSAG you or someone from your student group must complete a formal application in which they describe how the groups proposed project fulfills the CSAG criteria. Applicants must also provide a detailed budget for the project. Applicants must be an active member of the Student Arts Forum or an active member of an arts organization that has active representation on the Student Arts Forum*. Upcoming Student Arts Forum meetings are listed above. 

*For the Creative Campus grants, students may choose to participate in another approved oncampus group in lieu of the Student Arts forum.

CSAG Application Criteria
All proposals must:
- Employ peer-to-peer leadership and expertise to promote undergraduate student learning 
   through the arts.
- Instill a sense of the power of the arts to enhance understanding, build communities, and 
   transform lives.

In addition, proposals should meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Expose undergraduate students to unfamiliar art forms and communities
- Create a significant impact on student life and learning at UNC-Chapel Hill
- Utilize the arts as means of addressing challenging topics
- Increase understanding of or proficiency in the arts
- Involve diverse communities for cultural exchange

CSAG Guidelines
1. Projects are supported in all areas of the arts. Projects that involve multiple departments and/or are multi-disciplinary are encouraged.

2. While applicants are not required to have an active faculty advisor, it is strongly encouraged. 

3. Applicant must be an active member of the Student Arts Forum or an active member of an arts organization that has active representation on the Student Arts Forum.

For the Creative Campus grants, students must actively participate in either an on-campus student arts group, OR an organization that addresses issues that pertain to the death penalty or criminal justice.

4. Funds will not be provided for:
    a. starting new student organizations
    b. activities that are limited to the organization’s membership and not open to the general public
    c. hospitality or entertainment costs for receptions, performances, or fundraising benefits

5. The Office of the EDA and the Arts Advocacy Committee of Student Government and other appropriate colleagues shall review all applications submitted.  The EDA shall select the project or projects to receive funds, the amounts to be granted and the decision(s) will be final.  The Office of the EDA and the Arts Advocacy Committee will not accept appeals from applicants regarding the rejection of their application, or the amount of funding their student group has been awarded.

6. The Office of the EDA expects student groups to include the CSAG logo in all printed and web material (flyers, posters, programs, websites etc.) related to their funded activity. Creative Campus grants must include the use of the Criminal/Justice: The Death Penalty Examined logo and wording.

7. All grantees are required to submit feedback at year-end.  Failure to do so could decrease the likelihood of the group receiving future grants. 

Additional Guidlines for Creative Campus Applications

To be considered for funding as part of this year's Creative Campus project Criminal/Justice: The Death Penalty Examined projects must address issues surrounding the death penalty in the United States.

Deadlines
CSAG Applications will be reviewed twice annually. When applying, please make sure that your event takes place well after the notification date. Retroactive funding is not provided, so apply early!